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US Student Visa Guidelines for Indian students
US Student Visa Guidelines for Indian Students: US Student Visa Requirements, USA Visa for Indian Students, How to Apply for US Student Visa in India? If you are wondering how to apply for a US visa from India, read our guide for Indian students and start the process to get your F-1 visa.
If you’re an Indian student who also wants to attend a university in the US, our one-stop guide on how to apply for a US student visa from India, the documents required for a US student visa, where to get an interview, and what you’ll need. before you leave India. What you need to know and what you need to know when you arrive in the United States.
USA Visa for Indian Students
Getting a US student visa from India is not difficult, but you need to follow all the requirements for US student visas from India and allow enough time to complete and submit the documents. In order to apply for an F-1 student visa to the United States from India, you must be enrolled in a program at an accredited US higher education institution.
F-1 Visa
There are two types of student visas for exchange students from India to the US, the F-1 visa and the M-1 visa. Students pursuing academic or non-academic programs must apply for an M-1 visa. An F-1 visa is required for students enrolled in an academic program pursuing a degree at an accredited institution. The following types of programs require an F-1 student visa:
- University or college
- High school
- Private elementary school
- Seminary
- Language training institute
- Conservatory
education counselors can help take the guesswork out of applying for your student visa. See a complete list of F-1 visa and pre-arrival services our advisors are available to help you with before leaving for the USA from India.
How to Apply for US Student Visa in India?
If you are looking for more information on how to apply for a US student visa from India, including US student visa documents and other F-1 visa requirements, be sure to read our detailed visa process guide. , as well as our F-1 Visa interview questions, including interview preparation tips and advice.
The visa application steps for students from India:
Apply and get your I-20: When an accredited US university accepts you, they will issue you an I-20 form. This form documents your study program and provides additional information about your accommodation.
Pay the SEVIS Fee: The SEVIS fee of $350 is a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) processing and maintenance fee.
Complete your DS-160 visa application: All prospective international students must complete a DS-160 in order to obtain an F-1 visa.
Plan your visa interview: Waiting times vary from country to country and can take several months. Schedule your appointment on time to avoid delays.
Attend your visa interview: In this step of the F-1 visa application process, the US consulate or embassy confirms you are coming to study as a legitimate, serious student.
Eligibility for a US student visa
India is the second largest source of international students and exchanges visitors to the US. (China was the first.) The majority of US student visa applicants from India (about 94,000) plan to pursue graduate studies.
The next-highest group is students with an internship on OPT (Optional Practical Training) qualifications; these students may still be enrolled at their US university or have recently finished their studies.
About 80% of Indian students go to the US for a science, technology, master’s, or bachelor’s degree in engineering or mathematics (STEM), while 10% go to the US for a master’s or bachelor’s degree in business. The most popular states for international students are California, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania, each with more than 50,000 international students.
The US State Department, which does not publish the number of applications requested and denied, said US embassies and consulates in India issued more than 816,000 visas in 2019, down 6 percent from 2018.
US Student Visa Requirements
Current waiting times for visa interview requests range from 12 calendar days (Chennai/Madras) to 36 calendar days (Hyderabad). Wait times vary, so it is important to schedule your US visa appointment as soon as possible. You can check approximate wait times on the US State Department website.
Documents to bring to your student visa interview:
- Passport
- A copy of the photo you will use for your visa
- DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmation pages
- I-20
- School transcript and official test scores you used on your university application
- Diploma (if applicable)
- Bank statements you used to fill out your college application.
Visa fees for US students
Although there is no minimum bank balance requirement to apply for a US student visa from India, obtaining an F-1 student visa will cost around $500. The fee has two parts: the I-901 SEVIS fee ($350) and the DS-160 form fee ($160). You must apply for a nonimmigrant student visa within 120 days of your program start date, but you should not wait too long after receiving an offer of admission, as it can take several months to complete the US student visa process from India.
What if I’m late to schedule my visa interview?
If you’re holding back on the application process for US students in India, don’t worry—US consulates and embassies offer expedited interview options for students about to begin college courses. But first, you have to go through the official process and pay the visa fee.
Complete the online written application (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule an appointment first, even if it is too late for the program start date. Once the initial documentation is complete, the consulate will consider your request for a closer appointment date.
For an expedited application, the US Office of Consular Affairs recommends that you contact the embassy or consulate where you will be interviewed to schedule an expedited appointment. You can email the embassy to request an expedited interview or contact the India Call Center by phone. After submitting your request, the embassy will send you an email with further instructions, usually within two days.
Applicants for a student visa to the USA from India
If you are interested in how to apply for a US student visa from India, you can arrange an interview at several US consulates and embassies in India. To find the location of your nearest US Embassy, please see the following links:
- Chennai/Madras
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
What if my visa application is rejected?
If you do not meet the requirements for a US student visa from India and your visa application is rejected, the decision is final and you cannot appeal. The good news is that you can reapply and you can apply for an exemption.
For example, if you are rejected because you cannot prove that you can afford to pay for your education, you know what to do next. Many visa refusals are due to missing or incomplete documents required for a US student visa. Once you know why you were rejected, you can fix the problem before your next interview.
What else should students from India know before applying for a visa?
International F-1 visa holders are not required by law to have an international health or health insurance plan, but health insurance is always recommended for peace of mind. Additionally, most universities in the United States require you to have a valid insurance plan before enrolling in classes. The following Shorelight universities require a mandatory active student health insurance plan:
- Adelphi University
- American Collegiate Los Angeles
- American Collegiate Washington, DC
- American University
- Auburn University
- Cleveland State University
- Gonzaga University
- Florida International University
- Louisiana State University
- University of Central Florida
- University of Dayton
- University of Kansas
- University of Illinois Chicago
- UMass Boston
- University of South Carolina
- University of the Pacific
- University of Utah
Most universities offer health insurance plans, and some even automatically enroll international students in the school plan. You have the option to waive the school plan in favor of another acceptable plan based on the requirements of the university you attend. For instance, some schools require a minimum coverage amount of $100,000. Adelphi University’s school-sponsored insurance program for the 2020-21 academic year costs each student $2,991 and is billed in your tuition statement.
How long is my F-1 visa valid?
Under State Department regulations, students on F-1 visas are allowed to stay in the U.S. for 60 days after completing their college program. Exceptions to permits are available for work, internship, or further study. If for work or other reasons, you are in the United States longer than authorized on Form I-20, you can apply for an extension on USCIS Form I-539. The fee for an extended stay is $370 plus $85 for biometric services (such as fingerprinting and processing costs).
Can I Transfer to Another College in the United States?
International students on F-1 visas may transfer to different schools within the United States. To do so, talk with your designated school officer (DSO) before applying. To successfully transfer, you must maintain your F-1 student status without interruption. You are technically considered a student of your first university until your transfer release date — or the day when your DSO officially moves you to the new college. Students can also apply for a change of status if they need a different visa type for continued schooling or an accepted work program.
Can I travel internationally on an F-1 visa?
Yes, you can leave and re-enter the US on an F-1 visa, but you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months. (To see if India is exempt from this rule, check the latest regulations on the Department of Homeland Security website.) If your passport is about to expire, be sure to contact the nearest embassy for renewal information. In addition to your passport, your re-entry visa must be valid. Your visa stamp does not need to be valid for six months after re-entry, like your passport.
If you plan to leave and return from the United States, you must also bring the following documents with you:
- Your I-20: Make sure your DSO has approved your I-20 for travel and signed it before you leave.
- Financial documentation: You may need to prove again that you can support yourself during your studies. Remember that you cannot travel outside the US on a visa for more than five months. You can travel in the US as much as you want.
Can I work while studying in the USA?
F-1 visas are for full-time students. It is not a work visa and as a student, you are not allowed to do most types of work in the US. There are exceptions to this rule, most of which relate to internships and work related to your studies.
Below is a full list of employment pathways for international students:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- On-campus employment
- Severe economic hardship
The first step to working on an F-1 visa is to talk with your DSO. Your DSO will have to approve and register any employment you take, so it is a good idea to communicate regularly with them throughout your search for work. In addition, your DSO can help answer questions and find eligible positions. For most work, you will have to be enrolled and active in your university program for more than 12 months. Your Shorelight advisor can help you navigate F-1 visa employment restrictions as well, so be sure to reach out with any questions you may have.
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USA STUDENT VISA GUIDELINES FOR INDIA STUDENTS 2023
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